Saturday, June 15, 2013

The Gurunsi or Grusi people are cluster of Gur-speaking peoples of larger Niger-Congo language family found in Northern Ghana and Southern Burkina Faso. There population of Gurunsi in Ghana is estimated to be approximately 976,311 and in Burkina Faso an estimated population of 1 million.

The Gurunsi people of Ghana and Burkina Faso are known for their elaborate mural painting houses and its architectural designs as well as their (sculptural) zoomorphic masks, covered with geometric motifs. The masks have concentric eyes and polychromatic effects in black, white and red. Winiama sculptures are the most geometric.
(The Gurunsi people in Burkina Faso are known for their elaborately decorated houses. At the annual art and culture festival in Tiebélé, a communal event that shapes social and spiritual life, a family group of Gurunsi women create a geometric mural. During the competition, painters take a break to dance, sing, and bump.)

The name Gurunsi comes from the Djerma language of Niger words “Guru-si”, which means “iron does not penetrate”. It is the Mossi that gave this name to the diverse peoples that live in Burkina Faso, to the west and south of the Mossi plateau. The Mossi have never succeeded in controlling the Gurunsi. This name has a pejorative sense for the ethnic groups concerned: the Winiama, the Nuna, the Nunuma, the Lela, the Sisala…The Gurunsi (Gourounsi) are made up of about 300,000 people. The largest ethnic group is that of the Nuna.
Gurunsi house with staircase,Burkina Faso

The Kasena, Nuna, and Sisala refer to themselves as Gurunsi, talk about Gurunsi songs and Gurunsi customs and traditions, and the Nuna even consider themselves as the best preservers of the Gurunsi traditions, where the old customs and practices still stand. Although of uncertain origin, the term Gurunsi is still currently used, at least by these three groups, as recognition of their common cultural and lin­guistic ancestry because they share the same cultural traits and language roots and even bear the same facial marks.
Gurunsi woman with facial tribal mark, Northern Ghana

Language
The Grũsi or Gurunsi languages are a group of Gur languages, comprising about 20 languages spoken by the Gurunsi peoples. The Grũsi languages are spoken in northern Ghana, adjacent areas of Burkina Faso, and Togo.
Gurunsi man smoking his cigarette

The largest language in the Grusi group is Kabiye, a language spoken by approximately 1,200,000 people (of which 550,000 are native speakers) throughout central Togo

Gurunsi woman

History
Oral traditions of the Gurunsi hold that they originated from the western Sudan near Lake Chad. While it is unknown when the migration occurred, it is believed that the Gurunsi were present in their current location by 1100 AD. Following the 15th century, when the Mossi states were established to the north, Mossi horsemen often raided Gurunsi areas for slaves, but the Gurunsi peoples were never fully subjugated, remaining independent.
According to doctor Salif Titamba Lankoande, in Noms de famille (Patronymes) au Burkina Faso, the name Gurunsi comes from the Djerma language of Niger words “Guru-si”, which means “iron does not penetrate”. It is said that during the Djerma invasions of Gurunsi lands in the late 19th century, a Djerma leader by the name of Baba Ato (better known by the Hausa corruption of his name: Babatu) recruited a battalion of indigenous men for his army, who after having consumed traditional medicines, were invulnerable to iron.
The 1884 Conference of Berlin, which partitioned the continent of Africa into European colonies, saw the French, British and Germans each claiming part or all of Gurunsi territory. After establishing the protectorates of Yatenga (1895) and Ouagadougou (1896), the French annexed Gurunsi lands in 1897. Eventually the Germans withdrew to Togoland (modern Ghana & Togo), and an 1898 Anglo-French agreement officially established the boundary with the Gold Coast (now Ghana). This partition divided Gurunsi peoples among French and British administrative systems, facilitating the political and cultural divergence of sub-groups on each side of the boundary.
Gurunsi House,Kassana Nakana District,Ghana

Political and Economic Organisation of the Gurunsi (Gourounsi)
The Gurunsi (Gourounsi) society is an acephalous, that is, it has no political organization or centralized power. They were led by the council of elders of lineage.
Gurunsi people

Economy
The Gurunsi (Gourounsi) are farming people. Fields belonging to the community are farmed by societies of young people. During the dry season they hunt and fish.

Gurunsi woman

The Religious Beliefs of the Gurunsi (Gourounsi)
The Gurunsi (Gourounsi) believe in a God creator called Yi that distanced himself from man after creating the world. Yi gave Su the task of taking care of man. Su is represented in both the masks and the statues. An altar is consecrated to Yi in the centre of the village. Moreover, each clan keeps magical objects in a hut that allows them to communicate with the forces of nature.
When the rituals are correctly carried out, the Gurunsi (Gourounsi) enjoy both prosperity and fecundity. A magician’s renown can travel far. A diviner owns many different magical objects: wooden or bronze statues, clay balls, and wooden staffs decorated with figurines.
Gurunsi kids

Social Organisation, and Initiation among the Gurunsi (Gourounsi)
Initiation happens every three, five or seven years, depending on the village. The initiation lasts fourteen days and takes place next to an area of marshy land.

Gurunsi kids learning how to pound

The use of masks is taught to the young initiates who also have to undergo a series of moral, physical and intellectual tests. At the end of the initiation the young initiates return to the village and give offerings to the Su spirit.
The young initiates dress in clothes made of fibres and dance on market days until the rainy season begins. Only those that dance well will be granted, by the elders, the right to put on the costume and dace again.
Throughout the year, if health or prosperity is threatened, libations of blood are made and poured over a magical object or a new mask might be made

Gurunsi (Gourounsi) Masks

The masks represent the spirits of the bush.
The Nuna, the Nunuma and the Winiama create masks in the form of animals coloured in black, red and white. These masks can only be differentiated by their horns and their ears. These groups sculpted masks representing buffalo, snakes, antelope, warthogs, hyenas, hornbills and crocodiles. The eyes are bulging and framed by concentric circles. The muzzles are quite short for animal masks. There are other more abstract masks that have wide protruding mouths. These masks, decorated with geometric forms were repainted every year.

Gurunsi animal mask

The wearer of the mask would disappear underneath his fibre skirt and move about in the manner of the animal whose mask he was wearing.

The Nuna, Winiama, Lela and Nunuma have influenced the style of the masks of their neighbours the Bwa and the Mossi.
The masks belong to an individual, and are given to his son at his death or stored in the ancestor’s hut.

Nuna Gruunsi Mask,Burkina

The masks play an important part in the ceremonies that mark the end of an initiation, funerals of notaries or entertainment that is organized on market days.

Bush masks are consecrated to the spirit of Su, but there are other masks associated with hunters or farmers.

Gurunsi (Gourounsi) Statues

Gurunsi statue

Gurunsi (Gourounsi) statues are kept in the villager’s huts or on family altars and are used for divination purposes.
Gurunsi house,Kassena Nakana District,Ghana

Gurunsi Painted Homes
Africa is one of the last poorly studied continents, due mainly to political issues of western society. It has had a rich history that was largely looked over and forgotten in more modern times. When Europe was relearning how to run a modern civilization, Arabs in African were advancing modern thinking. Africans have a rich history of art,though it is not art in the western sense. Their art all has a meaning and purpose beyond being beautiful, remove it from its context and you have taken away its purpose and its reason for being created.
Sukhala house in Gurunsi village- Burkina Faso

One of the oldest still surviving forms of art is rock paintings,though it has advanced beyond the cave and onto the buildings. Some tribes still practice this form of that ancient tradition. The Gurunsi people of Ghana are known for their elaborate houses. The Gurunsi is a collection of several tribes that habituate the northern region of Ghana. This is a group about tribes that are united by common language, histories and political dealings. Most of these tribes still create mud huts to live in. The mud huts that they create are unique to their culture and are elaborately decorated in ancient symbolic patterns, carrying on this very African tradition.
Gurunsi architecture,Kassena Nakana District,Northern Ghana

The northern region of Ghana is inhabited by a large group of people known as the Gurunsi people. This is a larger term for a group of people belonging to several different tribes, relating to both language and ethnic heritage mainly inhabiting the Asante region of Ghana. the Kassena tribe and its neighboring Frafra tribe reside mainly in the Upper northern region of Ghana, on the border of the Republic of Burkina Faso.
These tribes mainly consist of farmers growing millet,sorghum and yams,rice, corn, peanuts and beans, which utilize the method of slash and burn farming and rotating fields regularly. The men do most of the farming though women usually have small plots that are mainly used for cash crops, over the staple food grown by the men.
When the season is right the men go out and hunt as well, both for food and as a ritual experience to connect with nature. They still retain a traditional governing system mainly consisting of a council of elders, without one central leader. Religious leaders are mainly responsible for the day to day issues that occur, including designating land and harvest times.
The religion in the region revolves around the God Su, whose spirit is thought to be harnessed in the form of a mask,for both beneficial reasons for their people and harmful reasons for their enemies. There is a shrine located in the center of every village dedicated to Su to ensure he is happy, and to make sure communal harmony is achieved. Each family is individually responsible for maintaining the shrine. The Kassena and Frafra are known for their elaborate masks and for their spectacularly decorated homes.
The main village of the Kassena is called Tiébélé located in the Sothern region of Burkina Faso bordering Ghana. This city has some of the best examples of the Gurunsi decorated architecture. The majority of the people still live in the traditional homes made of mud walls, usually a mixture of clay,straw and cow dung, either round or more rectilinear in form;though modern techniques have helped in the building process, utilizing mud bricks and stone foundations. The shape of the home is very significant, the square home is only for married couple and the rectangular home is for bachelors, to old to live at home but not yet married.
Like most homes in the harsh climate of Africa,they have been adapted to the local weather conditions. The walls are thick to trap the harsh light of day and warm the home at night when the desert turns cold. There are also minimal openings to the exterior, usually only the entrance. This form of building also severed as protection against the warring tribes of the region,making the dwellings significantly easier to protect. The homes of the people in this city are like many found in other parts of Africa except for one key feature,the exterior of the homes are elaborately decorated with hand painted deigns and murals.
Gurunsi earth house,Burkina Faso

With all African art there is a very powerful meaning and purpose behind what they do. Traditionally there is never art for arts sake, it has a purpose beyond looking pretty and decorating a space. They do have a concept of beautifying something called bambolse,roughly translating to mean embellishment or decorated. The Gurunsi people use this concept to decorate their homes in symbolic patterning and designs. The Frafra and Kassena tribes create these beautiful homes, in a remarkably similar fashion. A study was done on the traditions and meaning behind the Frafra structures in the village of Zuarungu. The compound that they live in is known as the Yiri,starting out in a circular form but as the compound grow sit becomes more ovular.
source;http://victoriabischof.weebly.com/uploads/1/7/2/0/17209968/africanpaper.pdf

21 comments:

$$$ GENUINE LOAN WITH LOW INTEREST RATE APPLY $$$Do you need finance to start up your own business or expand your business, Do you need funds to pay off your debt? We give out loan to interested individuals and company's who are seeking loan with good faith. Are you seriously in need of an urgent loan contact us.

I am happy to learn more about the people of the Kassena tribe. I just recently found out a year ago that my ancestry traces to this tribe. I am excited to learn more about my people and I plan to experience the culture sometime soon in the future I feel at peace with myself as an African American back to his people.

Actually, this tribe which i belong to is the best in music and art in the continent but because of our location in the Savanna belt, we are poor with high illiteracy rate. As a result, we are not able to tell the world how talented we are. Our designs are splendid and our dances sophisticated, varied and artistic!! Try and follow up for some of our festivals from November to January to see it for yourself. God bless the Gurunsis, God bless us all!

My Brothers and Sister all over the world, I am Mrs Boo Wheat from Canada ; i was in need of loan some month ago. i needed a loan to open my restaurant and bar, when one of my long time business partner introduce me to this good and trustful loan lender DR PURVA PIUS that help me out with a loan, and is interest rate is very low , thank God today. I am now a successful business Woman, and I became useful. In the life of others, I now hold a restaurant and bar. And about 30 workers, thank GOD for my life I am leaving well today a happy father with three kids, thanks to you DR PURVA PIUS Now I can take care of my lovely family, i can now pay my bill. I am now the bread winner of my family. If you are look for a trustful and reliable loan leader. You can Email him via,mail (urgentloan22@gmail.com) Please tell him Mrs Boo Wheat from Canada introduce you to him. THANKS

Hello Everybody,My name is Mrs Sharon Sim. I live in Singapore and i am a happy woman today? and i told my self that any lender that rescue my family from our poor situation, i will refer any person that is looking for loan to him, he gave me happiness to me and my family, i was in need of a loan of S$250,000.00 to start my life all over as i am a single mother with 3 kids I met this honest and GOD fearing man loan lender that help me with a loan of S$250,000.00 SG. Dollar, he is a GOD fearing man, if you are in need of loan and you will pay back the loan please contact him tell him that is Mrs Sharon, that refer you to him. contact Dr Purva Pius,via email:(urgentloan22@gmail.com) Thank you.

$$$ URGENT LOAN OFFER WITH LOW INTEREST RATE APPLY NOW $$$Do you need Loan to pay off your debt and start a new life? You have come to the right place were you can get FUNDED at a very low interest rate. Interested people/company should please contact us via email for more details.

Are you in any kind of financial difficulties? Your help comes now.Are you having sleepless night worrying how to get a Loan?Don't allowyour dreams to die, or are you looking for whom to trust or having you been scammed by INTERNET fraud stars, or you have been turned down by other financial company contactJOYCE MYERS LOAN COMPANY today foreasy and reliable loan. Please you are to fill out this form showedbelow this email.{{{finance2014911@gmail.com }}}

Are you looking for a loan to pay off your bills and start up your own Business? We can assist you with any amount you need with just 3% interest rate provided you are going to pay back at when due. If interested do contact us via email today for more details.Email jubrinloanservice@gmail.com

$$$ GENUINE LOAN WITH LOW INTEREST RATE APPLY $$$Do you need finance to start up your own business or expand your business, Do you need funds to pay off your debt? We give out loan to interested individuals and company's who are seeking loan with good faith. Are you seriously in need of an urgent loan contact us.

Hello Everybody,My name is Mrs Sharon Sim. I live in Singapore and i am a happy woman today? and i told my self that any lender that rescue my family from our poor situation, i will refer any person that is looking for loan to him, he gave me happiness to me and my family, i was in need of a loan of S$250,000.00 to start my life all over as i am a single mother with 3 kids I met this honest and GOD fearing man loan lender that help me with a loan of S$250,000.00 SG. Dollar, he is a GOD fearing man, if you are in need of loan and you will pay back the loan please contact him tell him that is Mrs Sharon, that refer you to him. contact Dr Purva Pius,via email:(urgentloan22@gmail.com) Thank you.

Hello Everybody,My name is Mrs Sharon Sim. I live in Singapore and i am a happy woman today? and i told my self that any lender that rescue my family from our poor situation, i will refer any person that is looking for loan to him, he gave me happiness to me and my family, i was in need of a loan of S$250,000.00 to start my life all over as i am a single mother with 3 kids I met this honest and GOD fearing man loan lender that help me with a loan of S$250,000.00 SG. Dollar, he is a GOD fearing man, if you are in need of loan and you will pay back the loan please contact him tell him that is Mrs Sharon, that refer you to him. contact Dr Purva Pius,via email:(urgentloan22@gmail.com) Thank you.

We are a France-Paris based investment company known as AvitDevelopment Investment Authority working on expanding its portfolioglobally and financing projects.

We would be happy to fund and invest with you in any profitableproject if you have any viable project we can finance by making mutualinvestment with you. If you are interested, kindly contact uson:avitinvestmentauthority2@gmail.com for more details.

Hello Everybody,My name is Mrs Sharon Sim. I live in Singapore and i am a happy woman today? and i told my self that any lender that rescue my family from our poor situation, i will refer any person that is looking for loan to him, he gave me happiness to me and my family, i was in need of a loan of S$250,000.00 to start my life all over as i am a single mother with 3 kids I met this honest and GOD fearing man loan lender that help me with a loan of S$250,000.00 SG. Dollar, he is a GOD fearing man, if you are in need of loan and you will pay back the loan please contact him tell him that is Mrs Sharon, that refer you to him. contact Dr Purva Pius,via email:(urgentloan22@gmail.com) Thank you.